and now for something completely different

Or maybe not.  Here is boy child's interpretation of our Into the Woods theme in mask.  Into the Woods apparently means flat-out scary.

The skeletal base of the mask is a paper form found at a local craft store.  Boy child fashioned horns from paperclay and added in the implement that, as the storyline goes (masks always have a story) was an injury incurred during one of his skirmishes with the local villager's mob.  He finished the mask with several coats of acrylic paint.  I swear, I do not let him watch zombie movies, horror thrillers and we, as family, have never participated in a satanic ritual. 

Boy child is rather pleased with his mask.  He would also like me to point out that he also dyed his shirt himself. 

The mask is held on by an elastic I salvaged from a pair of cast of pants (adjustable elastic, you silly pointless stuff my children hate).  In theory, the mask should be able to fit almost anyone's head.  I sewed a button on to loop the elastic on.

I've gotten a few steps into my next mural.  Already I can tell it's not my favorite - too specific, too much someone else's style.  But I haven't added in the main feature yet, so perhaps I'll change my mind.  Pictures to come soon!

guy fawkes doll mask

Experiment number three with paperclay.  My friend Lexi's love of the movie V is for Vendetta inspired this one.  I started it at her place while I was there for the weekend.

Just in case a doll ever needs to attend Bonfire Night (probably as an effigy) or a hackist rally.

The mask was sculpted out of paperclay and embellished with watercolour pencils and sharpie.

A few of my fleshies, ready for anything.  As of now, the white cloth, big breasted doll, sans mask, has found an artist and I can't wait to see what she becomes.

Have fleshies, will travel.

owl half mask

I've begun to play a bit with paperclay.  I suppose that with all new materials, there is a bit of a learning curve.  The horns for this goat doll was my first ever try.

Generally, I'm quite pleased with this mask. It is lightweight and fairly strong.  The paint on it is watercolour pencil and a layer of gloss fixative.  I'm choosing to ignore the little cracks in it.

I began with a mask shape made from card stock.  I taped it to the outside of a mixing bowl to give it a rounded shape to fit a face better.

A layer of paperclay and two loooong days of drying...

I did peel off the paper behind, after the clay was dry, but I don't think that was necessary at all.  That may be where my cracks developed, since I couldn't wait patiently and played with a bit before it was completely dry.

The paint is watercolour pencil and then a layer of glossy spray fixative.  I started painting without a plan.  I should of had a plan.  Oh, well, next time.

A plain ribbon to hold on the mask, laced through holes I made.

I even took a selfie or two and didn't die. 

So many ideas for the paperclay!  I have another made for a doll and the childs both have their own mask projects in progress.  Such a versatile and satisfying medium to explore.

sitting goat

I've been playing around with a little goat doll pattern and, coincidentally, just gotten a hold of some paper clay.  This is what happened when I combined the two.

The goat's markings were created with regular felt markers, borrowed from boy child.  The legs have wires through so they can be shaped and curled and even hung from a bar so it can be a goat-opossum, if I please.

I love the paper clay.  So light weight and agreeable.  The horns, since I failed to plan ahead appropriately, are just glued in place with contact cement.  Works surprisingly well.  Next time, though, I'll make it better.  Still thinking about how.

The greatest challenging was having the goat sit nicely, but a circular piece of cardboard sewn into the base did the trick. 

I've made some changes to define the jaw a bit more for the next one and I think I will do regular cloth arms and legs to make it a sort of goat person.  Of course, now that I've said, 'goat person', I feel certain I need to make a satyr.  Back to the sewing table...